Improved machine for shaping lasts



' by machinery in the usual way.

UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

F. R. STHVELL, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

IMPROVED MACHINE FOR SHAPING LASTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 33,3i3, dated September17, 1861.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, E. R. STILWELL, of Dayton, in the count-y ofMontgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in -Revolving Cutter- Headsfor Ron ghingOut Lasts andldohereby declare that the following is a full and complete descriptionof the construction and operation of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, making a part of this specication, in which-Figure l is a side view of the cutter-head. Fig. 2 is an end view. Fig.3 represents the block out of which the last is to be made. Fig. i isthe last partially roughed out by the cutter-head. Fig. 5 representsthelast wholly roughed out, and Fig. 6 is a last cut out in the usualway by hand.

The same letters denote like parts in the different views.

The nature of my improvement relates to a revolving cutterhead havingcutters arranged onA the sides, forming spiral planes from the peripheryto the center, that will cut ont of la block a last without any previousshaping by hand.

In Figs. 1 and 2, A represents the cutterhead, which is of a circularform, the sides being inclined outward, as shown in Fig. 2. Over theperiphery directly opposite are circular blades or cutters C D, the endsof which are screwed to both sides of the head, so that they will betirm and strong. I From the blade D toward the center are a number ofblades F., curved at the ends and screwed to the side of thecutter-head, forming from the blade D to the bladeF a spi rally-inclinedplane. From the blade C toward the center on the other side are asimilar set of blades, so that lasts can be roughed out as thecutter-head moves either Way. i

Fig. 3 represents the block from which the last is to be formed. Itneeds no further preparation but to be placed in the machine and movedin the ordinary way, guided by some pattern. The cutter-head is operatedThe manner ini which the blades cut their way through the block is shownin Fig. 4. Commencing at either the toe or heel, they cut in an inclineddirection, the block advancing and receding according to the patternuntil the last is roughed out, as shown in Fig. 5.-

Hitherto lasts have had to be blocked ont by hand, as shown inv Fig. G.Chopping them outl in this Way consumes much time and does not get theform as exact as inV the method j ust described, and there is danger,too, of cntting themaccidentally, so as to entirely spoil the last, andthey are also more liable to check and crack.

When a last is roughed out, asin Fig. 5, it is then finished by theordinary cutter-head. In this way from a block like that represented byFig. 3 a last can be made from beginning to end by machinery, whichsaves any amount ot time and does the work more uniformly and thoroughlythan it can be done by hand.

Each block has to be centered or placed on a stand and a point made oneach end togindicate how it is to be placed in the machine; but the samepoint answers for both machines.

Preparing blocks in the usual Way,it is customary to hew ott aboutone-half the timber necessary and then lay the blocks away to dry, whichtakes from twelve to fifteen months, when they have to be hewed again toremove the unnecessary wood. In this process they are very apt to checkand crack; but with this cutter-head lasts can be roughed out the rightshape and size that will dry in ,about eight weeks and be ready'forturning in the ordinary way, very little wood having to be removed.

It is found in practical operation that one man attending this machinecan rough out more lasts than three to `four men can in the usual way.

There are blades on both sides of the cutter-head, in order that it willrough out lasts as itmoves laterally either Way. The blades aresharpened in the same direction on both sides and so arranged that asthe head moves in one direction they will cut from the toe to the heelandas it returns back it will cut from the heel to the toe. It requiresmuch less time to turn a last roughed out in this way than one cut outby hand, for there is so much less wood to be removed, it being nearerthe right form.

ing from the periphery of the head to the center, substantially in themanner and applied to the purpose set forth.

Instead of the cutter-head being in one solid piece, it can be in twosections or disks, the blades being attached to each disk.

What I claim as my improvement, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is- E. R. STILWELL.

The combination of the'eutters With the re- Witnesses: Volving head whensaid cutters are arranged CHR. H. CRAWFORD,

in a spiral conical form on said head, eonverg- M. L. STILWELL.

